JimmyC74

Whether we like it or not we are a club in transition, needing to build back and re establish ourselves in the prem (which may take a number of years, another relegation and promotion). Whether we ever stood a realistic chance of landing the lad Soule I am not so sure, especially given who we were up against, even on the basis of him using us as a stepping stone. He is without doubt though the calibre of player we are crying out for. The transfer window remains open and we could still do business, but I struggle to understand the speculation linking us to Ayew. Surely there are better options we can attract, perhaps with less top flight experience, but with equal or greater attributes and resale value? I hope we can still make some important signings, that show progress and generate some enthusiasm that we can at least be competitive and fight to stay up.

Absolutely gutting. Never forgotten. A true legend.

You can be sure he will be seeking a signing on fee if he stays - not necessarily paid up front / but phased over the term of any new contract - but lets be clear he won't be a bargain deal.

Didn’t he favour 3 central defenders (3-4-1-2 or 3-4-3) and attacking wing backs. Using Ricky as a wing back would seem sensible given his injuries, and an extra central defender providing cover for Vestergaard would again be key. Using 3-4-3 would let you include Fatawu / Bobby / Mavididi. Not sure that would suit Kristiansen tho and so we may need to bring in a new LWB.

The quality of the incoming player is really key for our chances. I don’t see us doing much incoming business.

Football is on its arse largely because of people likes the Glazers and Radcliffe. Fcuk the fcuk off.

This and the fact it has been long signposted we were likely to fail PSR for 2023-24 if we didn’t sell a key asset before June-30. There is a little time I guess they could announce a deal with Chelsea but why do we leave things to the last minute.

More of a need to sell one of our central defenders to bring in one with pace or sell Daka and bring in another striker. Likely we need to sell KDH before we bring anyone in.

If we go next season with Ndidi and Winks in a double pivot midfield it will be crucial we bring in a creative 10.

Such a poor half. Side to side and backwards…..awful and then some.

Prem upset about clubs overtly taking steps to get around PSR but there are no rules preventing them doing what they have done.

Poor governance by the Prem pure and simple.......they are afraid of the independent regulator and putting on a show.

I wouldn't be surprised is all I am saying

Would you be surprised if Enzo and Chelsea came in for Fatawu or mads / maybe offered us one of their academy lads on loan.

This close season I wouldn’t be surprised if a number of clubs sniff around our best players and try and low ball us. As others have said I don’t see anyone offering the unamortised transfer fee for Kristiansen so we should plan to use the lad. I don’t see us having funds to spend on a new left back. Priorities are elsewhere.

he has had chronic hamstring problems (2x surgeries). Good player, but based on wages and risk of further injury probably one we would be better passing on.

In our financial situation (and lack of left footed defenders) realistically we have little room for manoeuvre in terms of transfers, so unless someone steps up with decent money we have to try and reintegrate the lad into the first XI.

If the decision is Cooper then I will back him but, I wonder if we have really cast our net wide enough or we are only looking at who is not in employment. I wonder if the board are resigned to a massive penalty / points deduction/ relegation and are planning on who (worst case) they think can get us promoted quickly / won’t jump ship. Meh.

If he is the preferred choice I have no issue with the Club spending a *little* time trying to persuade him , but in the coming days if he ain’t indicating he will sign we need to move on.

Presumably to have got him out of his contract the cash must have been received (pre-30 Jun) but from an accounting perspective we have some freedom as to when we recognise the 10m gain. That said reading between the lines from comments by @Slsbn and Kieran Maguire regardless we need sales to avoid breaching PSR in 2023-24. So incomings surely will forces on loans and freebies.

Not so sure about that but, the overarching point is the Club needs to recruit better, more experienced football people to oversee the strategy and deliver better outcomes.

Do you think they are waiting to see if Potter will take the job before green lighting incomings, fearing that he won’t sign without having the final say?

🙏RIEP Kev

Without doubt not *all* our troubles can be laid solely at Rudders door. That said it does not fill you with confidence that he is still in overall charge of scouting / recruitment / footballing strategy at a time when we expect to start the season with a (six points minimum) points deduction, need to build a squad capable of staying up (probably needing 50 points) at the same time as selling players to avoid a PSR breach for 2023-24. Those issues would challenge the best DofF and if we are to crawl our way back as an established side in the prem that is what we need.